A High Arctic microclimatic hotspot assessment Cape Bounty, Nunavut
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Date
2018
Authors
Garibaldi, Madeleine C.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
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Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : Universtiy of Lethbridge, Department of Geography
Abstract
Ground surface and permafrost temperatures in the High Arctic have been considered homogeneous. However, due to differential snow cover, there is a substantial degree of heterogeneity present. The objectives of this thesis were to model the ground thermal regime at Cape Bounty, Nunavut, using the TTOP model, for current conditions and climate change scenarios. While air temperature was mostly uniform, ground surface temperatures ranged from about -3.8 °C to about -13.8 °C. The spatial models showed warmer ground surface temperatures in topographic hollows, where snow accumulates, and colder temperatures in areas of topographic prominence, where snow is scoured. Under climate change, the models predicted that areas with the coldest permafrost had the largest magnitude of warming, while areas of relatively warm permafrost became closer to 0 °C. The thermal heterogeneity may have implications for ground stability, hydrological connectivity, and microbial activity, which influence solute movement and mercury release.
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Keywords
modelling , TTOP , permafrost , climate change , snow cover , thermal heterogeneity , Canada, Northern -- Climate , Climatic changes -- Research -- Nunavut -- Cape Bounty , Permafrost -- Effect of global warming on -- Research -- Nunavut -- Cape Bounty , Permafrost -- Thermal properties -- Research -- Nunavut -- Cape Bounty , Dissertations, Academic